Proteas up against it at close of play on Day 2 sierraleonetimes.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from sierraleonetimes.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
RAWALPINDI: Pakistan skipper Babar Azam (L) and Fawad Alam run between the wickets during their fine stand against South Africa in the second Test at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Thursday. Tanveer Shehzad/White Star
RAWALPINDI: A rain-curtailed opening day of the second and final Test here at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Thursday was interspersed with South Africa stamping their authority early on before Pakistan staging a brilliant recovery through their skipper Babar Azam and Fawad Alam.
Losing three wickets literally without any trace meant Pakistan found themselves embarking on the similar road of uncertainty with no thought process in operation when Imran Butt, Abid Ali and Azhar Ali perished in the space of 23 deliveries for just one run.
RAWALPINDI: A general view of the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium as Pakistan and South Africa players attend net sessions on Wednesday. Tanveer Shahzad/White Star
RAWALPINDI: The first impression which depicts the setting for the final Test of the two-match series at the Pindi Cricket Stadium is the contrasting atmosphere as Pakistan and South Africa prepare to resume their battle from Thursday in the garrison town.
Unlike the conditions during last week’s opening Test at Karachi where the Babar Azam-led home side sealed a comfortable seven-wicket victory to take an unbeatable 1-0 advantage there is ample evidence in Rawalpindi to suggest that the pace bowlers could have a major say with the overall surroundings being much cooler under heavy overcast conditions.
Pakistan eye rare Test whitewash over Proteas
Sports
February 4, 2021
RAWALPINDI: Pakistan are eyeing a rare opportunity to clean sweep a quality opposition following seven years of long wait as the second Test against South Africa begins here at the Pindi Stadium today (Thursday) amid hopes that playing strip would be more or less the same as the two teams found at the National Stadium in Karachi for the series opener.
It was in 2014-15 in the UAE when Pakistan last swept aside Australia 2-0. Since then there had been an anxious wait but the opportunity finally came here at the Pindi Stadium where Pakistan now hope to make South Africa pay for their inability to handle quality spin on a turning track.
Babar Azam (R) celebrates with Fawad Alam after scoring half century during the first day of the second Test cricket match of a two-match series between Pakistan and South Africa at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Thursday. AFP
Ground staff members cover the pitch following rain showers as the 3rd session delayed during the first day of the second Test between Pakistan and South Africa. AFP
Pakistan s skipper Babar Azam, left, thumbs up with his South Africa s Quinton de Kock, after the toss during the first day of the second cricket Test match in Rawalpindi. AP
Skipper Babar Azam hit an attractive half-century and in-form Fawad Alam batted solidly to help Pakistan fight back as the opening day of the second Test was cut short by rain in Rawalpindi on Thursday.